First impressions: Lode Runner Xbox Live Arcade

Lode Runner for the Xbox Live Arcade makes a surprise appearance at GDC09. It …

Microsoft sent over the tip that the updated version of Lode Runner was available to play in the lobby of Moscone South, and I was reading the e-mail as I happened to be heading... well, to Moscone South. It's hard to pass up a free hands-on, so I grabbed a controller and had a go.

The game is very reminiscent of the updated Bionic Commando, in that the animations and high definition graphics are quite a leap from the original. I have to admit that I was never a strong Lode Runner player, so my lack of skills translated perfectly. You get your gold blocks, you avoid the enemies, you dig holes on either side of yourself to get the baddies, you've played this before.

While what little bit I played seemed like Lode Runner with a facelift, the good news it that there will be a level editor, co-op modes, survival modes... all sorts of things to keep the gameplay interesting. There is no set release date yet, although we know that the game is coming as part of the Days of Arcade promotion going on now. Fans of the original will be very happy, although the game may have an uphill struggle attracting a new audience.